WESTERN vs HEBRAIC 

Western Approach vs Hebraic Approach

How
Vs
Why

Life analyzed in precise categories.
vs
Everything blurs into everything else.

A split between natural & supernatural

Vs

Supernatural affects everything.

Linear logic

vs

Contextual or “block” logic

“Rugged Individualism”

vs

Importance of being part of group

Equality of persons

vs

Value comes from place in hierarchies

Freedom orientation

vs

Security orientation

Competition is good

vs

Competition is evil (cooperation better)

Man-centered universe

vs

God/tribe/family-centered universe

Worth of person based on money/material possessions/power vs

Worth derived from family relationships

Biological life sacred

vs

Social life supremely important

Chance + cause & effect limit what can happen

vs

God causes everything in his universe

Man rules nature through understanding and applying laws of science

 vs

God rules everything, so relationship with God determines how things turn out.

Power over others achieved through business, politics and human organizations. 

Vs

Power over others is structured by social patterns ordained by God.

All that exists is the material 

vs

The universe is filled with powerful spirit beings

Linear time divided into neat segments. Each event is new.

vs

Cyclical or spiraling time. Similar events constantly reoccur.

History is recording facts objectively and chronologically.

vs

History is an attempt to preserve significant truths in meaningful or memorable ways whether or not details are objective facts.

Oriented to the near future

vs

Oriented to lessons of history

Change is good = progress

vs

Change is bad = destruction of traditions

Universe evolved by chance

vs

Universe created by God

Universe dominated and controlled by science and technology

vs

God gave man stewardship over his earthly creation. Accountability to God.

Material goods = measure of personal achievement

vs

Material goods = measure of God’s blessing

Blind faith

vs

Knowledge-based faith

Time as points on straight line (“at this point in time…”

vs

Time determined by content (“In the day that the Lord did…”)